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Comparing the Championship’s top scorers – West Brom and Brentford stars’ remarkable season in numbers

Dwight Gayle vs Neal Maupay – A statistical comparison

Championship top scorers of the 2018/19 season so far, Neal Maupay and Dwight Gayle of Brentford and West Bromwich Albion respectively, are in peak form at the moment. While the former has scored 10 goals in as many appearances, the latter has netted 8 goals in 11 games. They are a class above when it comes to taking their chances and scoring goals.

Hence, it is fitting to compare their attributes and the respective impacts they can have in a football match. Both Brentford and West Brom are doing well in the Championship this season, partly due to the goalscoring exploits of their scoring strikers. The Baggies are 2nd on the table with 24 points, while the Bees are at 7th position with 18 points, a point adrift of the playoff spots.

Stats & tactics comparison – Neal Maupay vs Dwight Gayle

Both Maupay and Gayle are good at finishing their chances in the box, which adds the reliability factor to their game. The latter possesses more pace on the counter, however, the former isn’t far behind in this aspect. They can run the channels to stretch a defence and become the out-balls on the break.

Neal Maupay

Apart from scoring, the Brentford striker is adept at creating chances for his teammates as well, with a key pass rate of 1.6. The West Brom striker has 1 key pass per game.

In terms of aerial prowess, neither of them is good enough to be a constant threat from set-pieces. But they make that up with clever movement in and around the box, which is quite tough for the defenders to mark.

The experience does come into question when high level football is talked about. Gayle is now 27 years old and has the know-how of playing in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Maupay joined the Championship from the French Ligue 1.

Analysing the versatility and flexibility of both players positionally, the Newcastle United loanee is more adaptable and can play on the left wing because of his extra pace. The Brentford striker, on the other hand, is comfortable in leading the line.

Read More: Why West Brom could bag a coup by signing this 31-year-old Dutch ace in January

Verdict

Picking one out of the two can be a really tough choice. They both are in their peak form and are contributing massively to the team. Hence, we can say that the Championship is blessed with two good strikers who are at their best at the moment.

Stats Courtesy – Whoscored.com (Maupay and Gayle)